Lobby group AfriForum said the Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE) directives to ban the sale of food on school premises may be “too drastic as it will negatively affect students or even put them in greater danger”.

The GDE on Friday asked all schools to suspend the sale of food in and around the school premises until further notice.

This decision was taken following the recent and alarming increase in incidents of foodborne illnesses affecting students in various schools in the province.

Gauteng has seen a number of deaths and hospitalizations linked to the consumption of food and snacks from spaza shops and vendors.

Drastic measures

AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs Alana Bailey said that while the civil rights organization agrees that measures to prevent more cases and deaths are essential, she believes the measures “are far too drastic”.

“For some children, the authorized shops on the school premises are the only option to have lunch. These vendors also cater to school events. In addition, some even provide food for privately funded schemes that support children in need. Additionally, sales provide an opportunity to raise additional funding for schools.

“By banning the sale of food by approved vendors who meet the necessary registration and health requirements, students are now forced to purchase food or snacks from non-approved vendors outside of school, exposing them to greater risk rather than protect,” Bailey said. .

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Allow authorized sellers

In a letter, AfriForum requested the GDE to allow licensed vendors who can demonstrate that they meet all requirements and comply with health regulations to resume selling food in schools.

AfriForum also called on the department to urgently liaise with all relevant municipalities and the Department of Health to ensure that health inspectors visit vendors in the vicinity of schools to determine if they meet all requirements.

“Similar directives from education authorities in other provinces will also be followed by AfriForum,” Bailey said.

AfriForum expressed its sincere condolences to all those who lost family members to food poisoning or became ill themselves.

Intervention

Sunday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed that 23 children have died, with 441 cases of spaza food contamination reported since January.

Lesufi said the Gauteng government announced an intervention plan following an emergency meeting with executive mayors, MMCs, speakers, department heads and municipal managers.

He said the province is implementing immediate measures, including mandatory re-registration of spaza shops, new uniform regulations in all municipalities, weekly engagements and meetings, and regular health inspections and compliance monitoring.

Lesufi stressed the need for proper regulation.

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